QUCEH Seminar Series
We organise an in-person seminar at Riddel Hall during term time. Please contact Chris Colvin to find out more about our seminar series.
Next Seminars:
Week 11: 3PM Friday 30 January 2026 (department seminar)
Seán Kenny (Lund University)
Banks and the Economy: Evidence from the Irish Bank Strike of 1966
Co-authored with: Emma Horgan (UCC) and Jason Lennard (LSE)
This paper studies the economic impact of the 1966 Irish bank strike, an event which removed banking services from the economy for three months. Using newly assembled quarterly GDP estimates, monthly macroeconomic indicators, and detailed sectoral data, it shows that the strike coincided with a significant slowdown in economic activity. Comparisons with contemporaneous forecasts reveal large negative forecast errors in output, consumption, and especially investment, indicating a substantial adverse shock. The contraction was front-loaded, with industry and agriculture particularly affected, and evidence points to binding liquidity and credit constraints rather than widespread job losses. Bank balance sheet data further suggest that the strike had lasting effects, as banks adopted more conservative post-strike behaviour. Overall, the paper highlights how temporary disruptions to banking can generate significant and persistent real economic costs.
Week 11: 3PM Friday 30 January 2026 (department seminar)
Seán Kenny (Lund University)
Banks and the Economy: Evidence from the Irish Bank Strike of 1966
Co-authored with: Emma Horgan (UCC) and Jason Lennard (LSE)
This paper studies the economic impact of the 1966 Irish bank strike, an event which removed banking services from the economy for three months. Using newly assembled quarterly GDP estimates, monthly macroeconomic indicators, and detailed sectoral data, it shows that the strike coincided with a significant slowdown in economic activity. Comparisons with contemporaneous forecasts reveal large negative forecast errors in output, consumption, and especially investment, indicating a substantial adverse shock. The contraction was front-loaded, with industry and agriculture particularly affected, and evidence points to binding liquidity and credit constraints rather than widespread job losses. Bank balance sheet data further suggest that the strike had lasting effects, as banks adopted more conservative post-strike behaviour. Overall, the paper highlights how temporary disruptions to banking can generate significant and persistent real economic costs.
Link to Current Seminar Schedule:
Full Archive of Past Seminar Schedules:
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2024-2025
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2023-2024
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2022-2023
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2021-2022
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2020-2021
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2019-2020
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2018-2019
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2017-2018
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2016-2017
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2015-2016
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2014-2015
- QUCEH Seminar Schedule: 2013-2014
International Macro History Online Seminar:
The International Macro History Online Seminar (IMHOS) is a collaboration of an international network of universities. Administered by the CEPR, it brings macroeconomic history topics to an interested public on a bi-weekly basis. QUCEH is one of the participating organisations.
The International Macro History Online Seminar (IMHOS) is a collaboration of an international network of universities. Administered by the CEPR, it brings macroeconomic history topics to an interested public on a bi-weekly basis. QUCEH is one of the participating organisations.